2023 (4) TMI 1334 - SCH - Indian Laws

Condonation of inordinate delay of 534 days in filing appeal - sufficient cause for delay or not - it was held by High Court that This Court, therefore, is of the considered view that the reason assigned for condoning the 534 days delay in filing the appeal, cannot be said to be sufficient explanation to condone the delay - HELD THAT - There are no reason to interfere with the impugned judgments and orders passed by the High Court. The special leave petitions are, accordingly, dismissed.

Summary

Issues involved: Compliance with High Court directions, Contempt of court

Compliance with High Court directions:
The Supreme Court, comprising HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE B.R. GAVAI AND HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE VIKRAM NATH, declined to interfere with the impugned judgments and orders passed by the High Court. The special leave petitions were dismissed. However, the petitioners were granted eight weeks to comply with the directions issued by the High Court. A specific warning was given that if the order was not complied with within the stipulated eight weeks, the Chief Secretary of the State of Jharkhand would need to personally appear to show cause as to why contempt action should not be taken against him/her. The Court scheduled a list after eight weeks for reporting compliance.

Contempt of court:
In case of non-compliance with the High Court directions within the granted eight weeks, the Chief Secretary of the State of Jharkhand was directed to be personally present to justify why action for contempt should not be initiated against him/her. This directive was issued to ensure adherence to the court's orders and to maintain the sanctity of judicial directions. Any pending applications were to be disposed of in light of this judgment.